Dr. Olga Husson is a Dutch epidemiologist and psycho-oncology researcher renowned for her work on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in cancer patients, particularly adolescents and young adults (AYA) and individuals with rare cancers such as sarcomas. She is a group leader at the Netherlands Cancer Institute (Medical Oncology Department) and Associate Professor at Erasmus Medical Center (Departments of Public Health and Surgical Oncology).
In 2018, Dr. Husson founded the “Patient-Centered Oncology” research group, embedded in both the Netherlands Cancer Institute and Erasmus Medical Center. Together with her twinning partner, Prof. W.T.A. van der Graaf, she leads a multidisciplinary team of over 20 researchers. Their work centers on patient-centered outcomes in rare, diverse, and understudied cancer populations, with a focus on:
- the short-, long-term, and late effects of cancer during AYA years, including risk factors and underlying mechanisms;
- outcomes and quality of life in rare cancer patients, especially those with sarcomas;
- advancing health equity in oncology through research on ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ populations, and patient engagement.
As a trained epidemiologist, Dr. Husson brings expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. She is also deeply involved in psychometrics and the development of HRQoL measures, serving as an active board member of the EORTC Quality of Life Group.
Her commitment to collaboration and impact has enabled her to secure over €40 million in research funding, establish international cohorts, and develop research infrastructures. She embraces a learning healthcare system model, ensuring that research findings are quickly translated into clinical practice. As a leader, she emphasizes coaching, career development, and team well-being.
